New Washington Leads Troops Across Delaware

Cold, windy weather and a new George Washington greeted the participants yesterday in the annual re-enactment of the Continental Army's Christmas Day crossing of the Delaware River.

James W. Gallagher, an engineer from Newtown Square, Delaware County, became the third man in 33 years to portray the general when he took his position before the 120 troops assembled on the banks of the Delaware in Bucks County.

Gallagher replaced the late John B. Kelly Jr., the former Olympic oarsman who died earlier this year while jogging in Philadelphia.

"Jack had a certain amount of charisma. I hope I can convey that to the people who are watching," said Gallagher, who was chosen for the role in October by the Washington Crossing Foundation.

The ceremony commemorates the Continental Army's Christmas night crossing in 1776 over to Trenton, N.J., where a force of Hessian soldiers was camped. The successful attack on the Hessians was seen as a turning point in the Revolution.

Kelly portrayed Washington for seven of the 33 years the crossing has been acted out. He was preceded by theatrical producer St. John Terrell, who originated the role.

Gallagher, a trustee of the foundation, said the participants decided this year to wear evergreen sprigs in their hats as a tribute to Kelly.

"We're hoping he'll be with us in spirit," Gallagher said.

About a dozen participants came from the Lehigh Valley to play parts in the re-enactment.

James Shedlauskas, a member of the Northamptontowne Militia from Whitehall Township, said the wearing of evergreen sprigs carried a meaning to the Continental soldiers.

Bedraggled troops in Washington's army wore the sprigs as part of their uniforms, he explained.

"Sometimes it was the only uniform thing in their uniforms," he said.

Another member of the Northamptontowne Militia, Deborah Jarrett of Coopersburg, said her organization participates in historical re-enactments nearly every weekend of the year.

Jarrett said her duties for the militia include creating the costumes worn by the members.

"Most of the men and women in our unit are wearing clothes that I've made," she said.

A crowd of about 2,000 witnessed the crossing, lining the banks of the river in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

It started with a short march to the memorial building of Washington Crossing State Park. Next came Washington's address to the troops, followed by a march in rank and file to the river, where the participants boarded replicas of Durham boats.

The four boats crossed the river in only a few minutes, despite a strong current due to the blustery day.

Reading from Thomas Paine's "The American Crisis," Gallagher urged the troops to wage a successful attack on the Hessians.

"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered . . . .The harder the conflict the more glorious the conquest," Gallagher read. "Fellow soldiers, we cross back into Jersey and in the morning hours we attack the British forces in Trenton. Our watchword is victory or death."